The area surrounding your property plays an important role in improving the overall aesthetic appeal of your home. There are several ways to improve your exterior home design, from simple, quick fixes to bigger-scale landscaping projects. You might have some ideas in mind but feel unsure about how to organise or refine them, or perhaps you're entirely new to landscaping concepts. Whatever your familiarity level, this guide aims to inspire and assist you in making the most of your outdoor space, regardless of size.
[Photo by Ben Prater]
What Does Landscaping Mean?
Landscaping involves designing and altering outdoor areas (often a garden or grassy patch) to make them more attractive. This can include planting flowers and shrubs, installing water features like ponds or fountains, adding outdoor furniture and decorative accessories and creating inviting pathways or patios.
Ideas For Front Porch Landscaping
The entryway, or porch, is the area at the front of your house and includes decking, patios, driveways or front gardens. How you decorate will largely depend on the space size and your budget. Here’s a breakdown for different situations:
Small Front Exterior
Front door
- For smaller front spaces, try enhancing the immediate area around your front door and exterior walls. Whether you own contemporary front doors or traditional front doors, repainting or recovering them can create an instant upgrade. Additionally, accessories such as new door knockers, doorbells, letterboxes and doorknobs can add charming and cohesive detailing.
Green space
- Limited green space doesn’t mean you can't create a lovely look. Choose small, vibrant flowers or compact bushes that thrive in your climate, adding colour and life without overwhelming the area. Consider plants like lavender, which are low-maintenance, colourful and smell nice.
Doorstep / small driveway
- As with the other elements, deciding what aesthetic you want to portray is essential. If you want your property to look eclectic and quirky, decorate with fun accessories like garden gnomes or colourful potted plants and a personalised welcoming doormat. If you want your entryway to be more elegant, go for smart tiles on the doorstep and a simple doormat.
[Photo by Olga Lioncat]
Large Front Exterior
Green space
- If you have a larger front garden or grassy exterior, consider planting larger plants or a greater variety of plants. Be mindful of seasonal changes, selecting plants that flourish at different times of the year to keep your landscape lively year-round.
Driveway
- Enhance your driveway with bushes, hedges or walls along its sides. Installing a gate or fencing can add privacy and define your property boundaries.
Decking/patio
- Create an inviting outdoor space using garden or outdoor-friendly furniture, lighting and potted plants. The patio can be made of durable wooden planks or decorative tiles.
Ideas for garden landscaping
Back gardens usually offer more space than front gardens. In the UK, 87% of the population owns a garden but this space can range significantly in size. Below are options listed for people with big gardens, small gardens or no garden at all.
Small Garden Design Ideas
Even small gardens can be beautiful. Focus on planting small, colourful flowers and low-maintenance shrubs and consider installing hedges for privacy.
Large Garden Design Ideas
Larger gardens provide ample space for multiple landscaping features. To create diverse and functional outdoor environments, include trees, bushes, vegetable patches or meadow-like flower areas. This range will also increase the number of bugs, birds and bees your garden attracts, improving the local biodiversity.
Windowsill Decor for Flats and Small Homes
For those living in flats or homes without gardens, exterior decoration options are more limited but still impactful. To add personality and charm, use window sills creatively with hanging plants, small flower pots or decorative ornaments.
Final tips
If you don’t have a clear vision when planning your landscaping projects, start small and gradually add elements as you become more comfortable with outdoor decorating and create a bigger picture of what you want from your space. Even minor enhancements can boost your home's kerb appeal and create a welcoming atmosphere.
